Feature Stories

Ruling seen as welcome first step, but universal equality remains elusive

MRU rolling out indigenization plan

Campus preparing for surge in enrolment of aboriginal students

TRAVELLING THE WORLD

Hear from our own reporters about their travels around the world - what was amazing, what was heart-breaking, what they learned, all of the ups & downs.

Mediterranean field school introduces students to other cultures in Europe and Africa

SLED ISLAND

Annual downtown festival kicks off Calgary's musical summer

Is football overtaking hockey for young Alberta athletes?

Football provides benefits to athletes that they can't get from hockey

2015 SUMMER FESTIVALS

Here is your guide to some of the best festivals in YYC! Whether it is for the fireworks, diversity, vibrancy or simply spending time with friends & family. Find out where, when, how much, & what has changed from previous years.

July/August 2015 Print Issue

Music maestro Schuurman spins his "Psychic Pollution" like a therapy session.

According to music ace and solo frontman Jzero Schuurman of Psychic Pollution, his ambient experimental music is inspired by electro-groups like CAN, Neu!, Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno, to list a few. But the Psychic Pollution formula has been in the laboratory for quite some time.

Growing up in Victoria, BC. Schuurman was inspired to learn music from his church band.

"I was a church kid and when I saw the other musicians, I always wanted to be the drummer playing with the church choir," he says. So that's what Schuurman decided to do – learn drums.

Schuurman says he worked all summer one year in his early teens until he was able to afford his first drum set, and then became a self-taught drummer. But he didn't stop there.

Ruling seen as welcome first step, but universal equality remains elusive

Two days before the U.S. Supreme Court's (or SCOTUS) ruling that transformed equality in America on June 26, I received hate mail from a known prolific, homophobic hate mail writer commenting on an article I'd written about the transgender community. The email I received included links to religious conversion groups promising to help individuals overcome their homosexuality "disease." This returned me to 2005, in Calgary, when I first came out as a lesbian and the acceptance I sought and fought for from my family, friends and community. Although I wasn't aware at the time, it was also the year same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada.

Written by Olivia Condon and Cameron PerrierOlivia Condon and Cameron Perrier

Campus preparing for surge in enrolment of aboriginal students

When Morley resident Alysha Raine stepped foot on Mount Royal University campus in September 2014, she was cautiously optimistic.

A 21-year-old Aboriginal woman from Stoney Nation, Raine was starting her first year in the open studies program at MRU. She was one of 486 aboriginal students on campus, making up 3.6 per cent of the student body.

Raine said there were times she felt isolated. However, she expected to feel like more of a minority than she actually did.

ProstAid Calgary hosts seventh annual car show

A glimpse into the past was present June 28 at ProstAid Calgary's 7th Annual Show and Shine, or Fun in the 50's Festival, held in the parking lot of the Grey Eagle Casino, which was packed with classic cars in perfect condition.

The event was a total time-lapse into the 1950s with the sun shining down on clean, polished, and adorned vehicles. It was not only an opportunity to admire the hard work, and dedication of both professional and amateur mechanics, but also an opportunity to enjoy the weather, munchies from local food trucks and help the Calgary chapter of the Prostate Cancer Canada Network raise awareness.

The unique automobiles and the emotion put into each piece of mobile art sunk an invigorating hook deep into the crowd. This rare bond between man and machine tossed to the sideline the mere fact that cars are meant for transportation. Every individual had stories to tell. It felt as if the vehicles were less machines and more human, as the connections between the two were life like.

Mediterranean field school introduces students to other cultures in Europe and Africa

Turn left, then right, then right one more time abruptly. Try not to lose the group. Don't look down for too long, or by the time you look up everyone will be gone. Hold your bags above your head; we can barely fit down these dark alleyways never mind carry our tourism baggage.

Fifth annual event raises awareness of valuable resources

Over the summer holidays, whenever the word "education" is heard, it sparks a certain panic in the hearts of many youngsters. But Creekfest 2015, presented by Friends of Fish Creek, is a celebration combining local performers with interactive activities to educate and bring awareness to conserve Fish Creek Provincial Park for future generations.

Open to the public, this free event takes place on Sunday, July 19th, starting at noon at Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek Provincial Park.